Oh Missy and Phred - how frustrating I called this number also:
Continental Cargo's 24 hour Pet Desk" at 1-800-575-3335 and spoke to "Christy"...
She told me that Japan does ship animals as CARGO from Japan to the US but that all arrangements must be made through a freight person in Japan. I pressed her for information as to is this freight person and Continental person or a Japanese company - OK she was gone quite awhile and came back a little frustrated but said that "only people from Narita" will accept the pet or the payment - it has to be done directly and that Continental there could give a number to call?? It is sounding like Continental is not willing to deal directly with PEOPLE trying to ship or even hget information. They would not even give Christy a price quote and the only thing she told me was that the price I had ($700-$1000) was correct - she was confused also, apologized but basically said the people in Japan could not help her either except to offer the number of someone (freight forwarder??) in Japan.